Interior Design Books

I like the written overview of the designer Naomi Leff and the unique themes in each project. Photographically,
it could not be more beautiful or well put together and I give this book a five star and above rating! I have recommended this publication to many colleagues and friends with an interest in design. The attention to detail
both in Naomi's designs and the book is exquisite.

The book has wonderful commentary about a true design icon-Naomi Leff. The photographs of her work are fabulous and capture all her creativity in both residential and retail store design and display. An AD 25 top designer,, her work no matter what the style,is most exemplified by her beautiful are deco interiors.

I bought this book as a resource for Theatre Design and it has proven to be a valuable asset. I can look through the photos in the book while researching and use the CD to put together presentations. The book's overall content is wide ranging and detailed, and is organized well. I would recommend this book to anyone in the arts, even if you don't use it for research, it's cool to look though.

This book is one of the best references for any designer and painter in the industry. Color Photos are amazing and complete. I have been wanting to purchase it for years now and am very glad to add it to my collection. All of her books are worth having in any artists library.

I have just finished reading this lengthy book after a month of heated night readings.
This one is really a milestone in the research of the new age phenomenon, as it is the first (and up until now the only) book to seriously and exhaustively research the variety of new age ideas, their inter-connectedness and their origins.

Haanegraaf doesn't leave the discussion on a sociological level, as other authors on the new age have frequently done. He isn't satisifed until he enters the core of every doctrine and theory and explains it thoroughly to the reader.
Haanegraaf covers an unusal amount of material over the 525 pages long primary text of the book. He presents ideas and comments about them briefly and concisely but also profoundly and always in an interesting and intelectually stimulating way.

The different observations and structures Haanegraaf presents in this work are bound to become a basis for future research of the new age phenomenon.

This is one of the best books i've read in a while, and a must for anyone interested in New Age.

This book is a MUST READ for any student of religious studies. Its provides a consolidation and analysis of the new age literature. Extensive use of references and footnotes - you won't be disappointed...

There are plenty of books on home renovation, but very few on modern renovations and additions for older homes, and fewer still that have the quantity of examples, images and floor plans that this book has. In this book the additions and renovations are contemporary whereas most of the homes are older and more traditional. At 228 pages with 300 photos, editors Il Kim and James Grayson Trulove have the space to present these unique American makeovers in detail. New American Additions and Renovations is intended for the professional community of practitioners and clients but will appeal to any fan of architecture.

This book brings together twenty-five additions/renovations. Most of these projects are what I term avante garde, or object like home additions, meaning that the new portion of the building relates to, but does not necessarily match the existing building. It is interesting to compare and contrast this book to Taunton Press' "Design Ideas for Great American Houses - Additions" which features more conservatively designed seamless additions - also an excellent addition sourcebook.

Most of the projects are designed by seasoned and up and coming young architects. In most cases there is a display of exceptional rigor, which makes these projects very unpredictable. Most projects employ superb craftsmanship. The book's large format makes a beautiful presentation of these projects. As the owner of an architectural firm that does a lot of additions, I found this book to be a great inspiration and highly recommend it.

I can't think when a new decorating book excited me as much as this one. I buy a lot of decorating books, but New Classic Style is so chic yet so helpful all at the same time. The premise, which is carried out stylishly by the photos, involves mixing classic furnishings from all eras and genres to create "personal" style. The book is so what I'm all about and what I see my friends doing. I've never seen a book on how to create your own mix before.

This is a great book if you are looking for new ideas for your home and you don't want to spend a fortune. Also a great book if you want to NOT do what everyone else is doing!

Samuel Chamberlain was one of America's preeminent photographers during the early and mid 20th Century. He is conspicuously and sadly forgotten today. I use the word conspicuously because if you every see his work as originally published he no doubt would leave you intrigued. That's putting it mildly. I think his greatest passion and love was the rural New England setting. It is amazing how his black & white photographs could actually capture the colors of the New England foliage. One can feel the sun shining through autumn colored leaves. I find that remarkable and that is what has intrigued me and has sent me on a never-ending quest to locate copies of his originally published books. If you do become intrigued, you must locate copies circa the time of the original date of publication. I am not an expert on printing techniques and papers, but I do know that his original works were usually printed on a bright white matte finish paper, which reproduced the photographs as close to photograph paper as was possible. When you see photographs in a newspaper, they look as though they are made up from a series of dots, which they are. I believe what you are seeing is a sample of the dpi or dots per square inch. With more dots per square inch definition and tonal qualities are increased. With Chamberlain's original publications, one does not see any dots. The photographs are vibrant and have to be seen in person to be appreciated. I have seen one of his old titles back in print recently, "The New England Image." I own a first printing, which was bound and printed by Conzett & Huber, Zurich, Switzerland, 1962. Actually this is one of Samuel Chamberlain's best-known books. The first printing is a work of vitality and art. The new edition is so poorly printed that it makes the photographs look entirely undistinguishable from the originals. The latest printing of "The New England Image" in fact makes Chamberlain's photographs look very mundane, commonplace and "undistinguished." As an extension of his New England subjects, which were often composites of nature and typical historical and uniquely New England structures, he also turned his lens to Colonial American architecture and interiors. Actually, that was another hallmark of Samuel Chamberlain. Later in his life he did some shooting in color. You can find a quantity of his color work in books on Cape Cod circa 1968. I do recommend this book because if you are unacquainted with Chamberlain will possibly gain some appreciation for his work. Again modern printing techniques do not do justice especially for black & white photography the more that I think about it. I think the main thrust of technology today is the perfection of color reproduction. How unfortunate that is for Samuel Chamberlain and for future generations.

Samuel Chamberlain was one of America's preeminent photographers during the early and mid 20th Century. He is conspicuously and sadly forgotten today. I use the word conspicuously because if you every see his work as originally published he no doubt would leave you intrigued. That's putting it mildly. I think his greatest passion and love was the rural New England setting. It is amazing how his black & white photographs could actually capture the colors of the New England foliage. One can feel the sun shining through autumn colored leaves. I find that remarkable and that is what has intrigued me and has sent me on a never-ending quest to locate copies of his originally published books. If you do become intrigued, you must locate copies circa the time of the original date of publication. I am not an expert on printing techniques and papers, but I do know that his original works were usually printed on a bright white matte finish paper, which reproduced the photographs as close to photograph paper as was possible. When you see photographs in a newspaper, they look as though they are made up from a series of dots, which they are. I believe what you are seeing is a sample of the dpi or dots per square inch. With more dots per square inch definition and tonal qualities are increased. With Chamberlain's original publications, one does not see any dots. The photographs are vibrant and have to be seen in person to be appreciated. I have seen one of his old titles back in print recently, "The New England Image." I own a first printing, which was bound and printed by Conzett & Huber, Zurich, Switzerland, 1962. Actually this is one of Samuel Chamberlain's best-known books. The first printing is a work of vitality and art. The new edition is so poorly printed that it makes the photographs look entirely undistinguishable from the originals. The latest printing of "The New England Image" in fact makes Chamberlain's photographs look very mundane, commonplace and "undistinguished." As an extension of his New England subjects, which were often composites of nature and typical historical and uniquely New England structures, he also turned his lens to Colonial American architecture and interiors. Actually, that was another hallmark of Samuel Chamberlain. Later in his life he did some shooting in color. You can find a quantity of his color work in books on Cape Cod circa 1968. I do recommend this book because if you are unacquainted with Chamberlain will possibly gain some appreciation for his work. Again modern printing techniques do not do justice especially for black & white photography the more that I think about it. I think the main thrust of technology today is the perfection of color reproduction. How unfortunate that is for Samuel Chamberlain and for future generations.

this is a book i really need, but i cannot get it in China.

Definitely a must-have book to help you decorate your home, especially your kids' bedrooms. Inside this book, you will find many great ideas of decorating the bedroom with limit of space. I always think that the idea of bunk beds are suitable for them living in apartments or duplex apartment. But I changed my mind when seeing this book. I like the idea to harness the stairs of bunk bed as a cupboard. Voila! It can be a storage to keep toys and many other things.

This book presents so many beautiful pictures and its design neatly prevent you from boringness to look at it again, and again!

Its a great book, it presents alot of great solutions very creative ones for the new way of desing offices sapces.

The New Office gives readers insight into the future concept of office architecture by combining the author's training in architecture and knowledge of new organizational design. The book with plenty of graphics and pictures covering 20 real life case studies of companies in the US, Europe and Japan was certainly inspirating for me.

I was in Sicily last February, a beautiful time to be there and though I saw many beautiful things, I did not see all the wonderful palaces described in this lovely book. The book is a great incentive to go again.

How great the book is.Through the book you can watch the most beautiful palaces in Sicily. The phots show the incredible buildings and sight, just like you walking among them,breathing with them. Off course the words introduce the history about each palace , just like a sweet dream, enjoy it.

When I read the inside back flap of the dust jacket and read that the author is a designer as well as a devotee of Tibetan Buddhism, and teaches yoga I senses I might like the book and I was not the least bit disappointed.

To many books on simplicity of design that I have checked out recently are void of true simplicity and or are to 'cute,' which suggested to me that the author thought he/she knew what simplicity of design was, but really did not.

There is nothing 'cute' about this book or its superb photographs. On page 27 the author notes 'Light and Dark. In addition to color, the balance and interplay of light and dark are instrumental in shaping our visual experience of our environment. To promote harmony and well being within our homes, it is essential to create a balance of light and shade in each interior that is appropriate to the room's function at different times of the day. Light has an energizing effect on the body, promoting activity and mental alterness; an abundance of light is therefore desirable in rooms that are used for active daytime pursuits.' Notice she realizes the power sunlight, natural light plays in our overall health. When we changed the colors in the cottage to brighter hues we noticed even occasional depression lifted. Because we felt both energized and destressed.

Now I readily admit that those people who prefer Levitz furniture style wont like this book, because this book and its photos are devoid of clutter that all to many American homes have an abundance of. Especially cookie cutter look alike suburban homes.

Also like as she shows on page 69, her example of how a blend of brick, tile wood and metal in clean lines can work well together. Or how on page 73 she notes that sensual stimulation is important especially at mealtime when one should strive to present food on colourful dishes. Makes me so happy I have a nice collection of Fiestaware in various colours with place settings for four in at least six colours since we entertain a lot.

Her examples of calming restful bathrooms is a feast for the eyes and one can see how using examples she shows can make soaking in a hot bath a spiritual and renewing experience. Clean crisp lines and no cluttered or overdone ceramic tile, shower curtains or matching rugs, toilet tank and toilet seat covers!

She even has a wonderful section on gardens and outdoor dining beginning on page 147 titled Gardens, Balconies and Decks. Where she shows examples of each that will fit in city, suburb or rural spaces.

A wonderful book for the person looking to plan well before they build or even buy a fixer upper. One of my favorite books on peaceful abodes and it lives up 100% to its title Peace At Home.

Unlike most design books, I felt a strong emotional attachment to the succinctly conveyed advice, demonstrated in inspirational, calming pictures. I actually find it calming to review after a long day as well. I recommend taking your time and thoughtfully trying to digest its messages, as oppose to glossing over the pretty pictures.